Exodus 9:23

Authorized King James Version

And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּ֨ט
stretched forth
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#2
מֹשֶׁ֣ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
מַטֵּהוּ֮
his rod
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
הַשָּׁמַיִם֒
toward heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#7
יְהוָ֛ה
and the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
נָתַ֤ן
sent
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#9
קֹלֹת֙
thunder
a voice or sound
#10
בָּרָ֖ד
and hail
hail
#11
וַתִּ֥הֲלַךְ
ran along
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#12
אֵ֖שׁ
and the fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#13
אֶ֥רֶץ
upon the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#14
וַיַּמְטֵ֧ר
rained
to rain
#15
יְהוָ֛ה
and the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#16
בָּרָ֖ד
and hail
hail
#17
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
אֶ֥רֶץ
upon the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#19
מִצְרָֽיִם׃
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Exodus.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Exodus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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